Costadia Data
HVAC costs by state: where homeowners pay the most
A typical 2026 HVAC install — averaging a furnace replacement and central AC — runs about $7,100 nationally. But state by state the bill swings hard: Washington tops the list at roughly $8,300 (+17%), while New Mexico is the most affordable at about $6,750 (-5%).
What the data shows
- The most expensive state for HVAC work in 2026 is Washington, at about $8,300 for a typical furnace-plus-AC project.
- The most affordable is New Mexico at roughly $6,750 — a 23% gap between the two.
- Figures are population-weighted across each state's cities, so they reflect where people actually live, not just one metro.
- High-cost states are driven by elevated local labor rates; climate plays a secondary role since furnace and AC costs partly offset between cold and hot zones.
All 51 states by 2026 HVAC cost
Population-weighted average of furnace replacement + central AC, localized per city. Tap a state for its city-level guide.
| # | State | Typical 2026 range | vs. U.S. avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington28 cities analyzed | $5,550 – $11,050 | +17% |
| 2 | New York17 cities analyzed | $5,450 – $10,900 | +16% |
| 3 | Hawaii1 city analyzed | $5,400 – $10,800 | +15% |
| 4 | Massachusetts36 cities analyzed | $5,400 – $10,750 | +14% |
| 5 | New Jersey22 cities analyzed | $5,400 – $10,800 | +14% |
| 6 | Illinois52 cities analyzed | $5,400 – $10,700 | +14% |
| 7 | California212 cities analyzed | $5,350 – $10,700 | +13% |
| 8 | District of Columbia1 city analyzed | $5,300 – $10,550 | +12% |
| 9 | Minnesota24 cities analyzed | $5,250 – $10,450 | +12% |
| 10 | Oregon14 cities analyzed | $5,150 – $10,300 | +10% |
| 11 | New Hampshire3 cities analyzed | $5,150 – $10,200 | +9% |
| 12 | Colorado21 cities analyzed | $5,100 – $10,150 | +8% |
| 13 | Maryland7 cities analyzed | $5,050 – $10,100 | +7% |
| 14 | Vermont1 city analyzed | $5,100 – $10,050 | +7% |
| 15 | Maine1 city analyzed | $5,050 – $10,000 | +7% |
| 16 | Rhode Island6 cities analyzed | $5,050 – $9,950 | +6% |
| 17 | Alaska1 city analyzed | $5,000 – $9,900 | +5% |
| 18 | Connecticut15 cities analyzed | $5,000 – $9,900 | +5% |
| 19 | Delaware2 cities analyzed | $4,950 – $9,900 | +5% |
| 20 | Pennsylvania13 cities analyzed | $4,950 – $9,800 | +5% |
| 21 | Arizona25 cities analyzed | $4,900 – $9,750 | +4% |
| 22 | Nevada6 cities analyzed | $4,900 – $9,800 | +4% |
| 23 | South Carolina12 cities analyzed | $4,850 – $9,750 | +3% |
| 24 | Wisconsin20 cities analyzed | $4,900 – $9,700 | +3% |
| 25 | Florida73 cities analyzed | $4,850 – $9,650 | +2% |
| 26 | Georgia18 cities analyzed | $4,850 – $9,650 | +2% |
| 27 | Michigan31 cities analyzed | $4,850 – $9,650 | +2% |
| 28 | Indiana21 cities analyzed | $4,800 – $9,600 | +2% |
| 29 | Louisiana9 cities analyzed | $4,750 – $9,500 | +1% |
| 30 | Texas83 cities analyzed | $4,750 – $9,500 | +1% |
| 31 | Missouri16 cities analyzed | $4,750 – $9,450 | ±0% |
| 32 | Ohio33 cities analyzed | $4,750 – $9,450 | ±0% |
| 33 | Utah19 cities analyzed | $4,750 – $9,450 | ±0% |
| 34 | Alabama12 cities analyzed | $4,650 – $9,400 | ±0% |
| 35 | North Carolina22 cities analyzed | $4,700 – $9,350 | ±0% |
| 36 | Virginia17 cities analyzed | $4,700 – $9,350 | ±0% |
| 37 | Idaho8 cities analyzed | $4,650 – $9,250 | −1% |
| 38 | Kansas11 cities analyzed | $4,700 – $9,350 | −1% |
| 39 | Tennessee17 cities analyzed | $4,650 – $9,300 | −1% |
| 40 | Wyoming2 cities analyzed | $4,650 – $9,300 | −1% |
| 41 | Mississippi6 cities analyzed | $4,600 – $9,300 | −2% |
| 42 | Montana4 cities analyzed | $4,650 – $9,200 | −2% |
| 43 | Oklahoma11 cities analyzed | $4,600 – $9,200 | −2% |
| 44 | Kentucky5 cities analyzed | $4,600 – $9,200 | −2% |
| 45 | Nebraska4 cities analyzed | $4,600 – $9,200 | −2% |
| 46 | Iowa13 cities analyzed | $4,550 – $9,100 | −3% |
| 47 | South Dakota2 cities analyzed | $4,600 – $9,100 | −3% |
| 48 | West Virginia2 cities analyzed | $4,550 – $9,100 | −3% |
| 49 | Arkansas10 cities analyzed | $4,550 – $9,050 | −4% |
| 50 | North Dakota4 cities analyzed | $4,550 – $9,050 | −4% |
| 51 | New Mexico7 cities analyzed | $4,500 – $9,000 | −5% |
Want a city-specific number? Explore HVAC costs or browse all cities.
How we calculated this
Figures are localized 2026 planning estimates — not quotes. We start from researched national price ranges, then adjust each location for local labor rates (BLS metro trade wages and U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities), climate zone (IECC) and typical permit fees. Full method on our methodology page.
Cite this analysis
Costadia analysis of 2026 HVAC costs (furnace + central AC) for all 51 U.S. states, population-weighted across cities and localized using U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities.
https://www.costadia.com/research/hvac-cost-by-state
Free to cite and reference with a link to Costadia. Journalists — see our methodology & sources.